Great news about the diaconate! There are more permanent deacons now than ever! The problem? Most of the permanent deacons are nearing the age of retirement. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate claims that at least 68 percent of the permanent deacons are at least in their 60s, with 25 percent in their 70s. Time for some young blood in there!

A bit of a debate has gotten stirred up about those who choose not to have children. Carolina A. Miranda wrote a piece over at Time in which she argues the benefits of living a childless life. Over at the Washington Post, Jana Bennett, an associate professor of moral theology at University of Dayton offers a rebuttal.

In Albuquerque, N.M. an unusual funeral was held when a group led by Deacon Pablo Lefebre buried the cremated remains of 87 county residents, most of them unclaimed or unidentified indigents, and those whose families were too poor to afford a proper burial. The headstone reads "We grow afraid of what we might forget. We will find peace and value through community in knowing that we belong to each other."

In eastern Missouri earlier this week, a teenage girl was trapped in a car following what "should have been" a fatal accident. At one point, a grey-haired priest showed up and prayed with her. But then he disappeared. Some say he was an angel. Whoever he was, everyone on the scene wanted to extend their thanks to him.